"People who love their contacts often have the best intentions to follow instructions from eye- care professionals. With so much else happening in their lives, it is possible to forget at times. That's human nature," says Dr. Rick Weisbarth, an optometrist and chairperson of the Washington, D.C.-based Contact Lens Institute. 

These behaviors are consistent with recently-conducted YouGov research among 705 adults in the United States. It reveals that while about three in four people will read a new product's instructions, problems arise if they are too difficult to understand, misplaced or users find themselves in a hurry. In another eye-opening finding, 58 percent of respondents admit to figuring out how to use a new product by trial-and-error. 

Aided by these insights, the Contact Lens Institute has introduced The EASY Way (Eyes, Awareness, Safety and You), designed to streamline and simplify sometimes confusing contact lens wear-and-care guidelines. At the center of the program are three easy to recall steps for healthy, comfortable contact lens wear that everyone should know: 

1. Think Clean. Wash and dry your hands every time before touching your lenses or eyes. If you wear reusable lenses, always clean and disinfect them with each removal, and clean your case as directed. Keep your lenses and case away from any type of water, which can contain harmful microorganisms. 

2. Remember: Fresher is Better. Wear your contacts for as long as your eye-care professional says, replacing them with fresh lenses on schedule. Only wear daily disposable lenses once, and always rely on new solution for reusable lens disinfection and storage. Replace your case at least every three months. 

3. Trust Your Eye Doctor. Listen to your eye care professional, who has specialized training. If you have any questions, contact their office -- they care about your health and great vision. 

More information for contact lens wearers is available at EASYwayprogram.org/MyEyes/ 

"Taking care of your contacts doesn't have to be hard; it can be easy. That's why thousands of optometrists and ophthalmologists across the U.S. and Canada will be sharing The EASY Way with patients in the coming months," says Dr. Weisbarth. 

The Contact Lens Institute's members include Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision. 

See full-sized image here.

The goal of the Diversity Summit is to explore "actionable solutions to advance diversity in financial planning," according to the website. This year's theme of Sustainability reflects the importance of long-term diversity and inclusion programs in financial planning education and in the workplace.

"The Diversity Summit and Career Fair comes at a critical time in our history as we drive change, awareness, access and results in our profession," said CFP Board CEO Kevin R. Keller, CAE. "CFP Board is strongly committed to expanding and sustaining diversity in the financial planning profession and those it serves to better align with the U.S. population."

The Summit agenda includes the release of a new report on case studies of successful diversity and inclusion initiatives in the financial planning profession. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss these studies and explore the successes and challenges, as well as examine how lessons learned can be applied to future strategies.

Other key events include "CFP® Pro Talks," with personal reflections from CFP® professionals of color, executive roundtable of leaders in financial planning firms who are committed to improving diversity and inclusion, and discussions of specific recommendations that firms can apply immediately to improve their diversity and inclusion initiatives.

A highlight of the summit is the Virtual Career Fair. Although not the same as in-person networking, the Summit organizers have adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic situation and designed a forum in which certified financial planner candidates who are women and people of color have opportunities to connect with employers, experienced CFP® professionals, fellow students, and potential mentors. The Career Fair occurs on November 20 and requires a separate online registration from the Diversity Summit, but with no charge to attend.

The target audience for the CFP Board Diversity Summit is financial planning professionals and students who are working to become certified financial planners, as well as individuals who are considering careers in financial planning. The audience also includes executives, diversity and inclusion professionals, and recruiters from financial services firms. Program directors from colleges and universities with financial planning programs can benefit from the summit topics to help support their goals for greater diversity and inclusion in academic programs

For more information, visit cfp.net/events/2020/11/2020-virtual-diversity-summit-and-career-fair.

CFP Board, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting professional standards in personal financial planning, emphasizes how the guidance a financial planner can provide goes beyond the surface of stocks and investment advice. Instead it emphasizes the benefits of a long-term plan to help people meet their financial goals. Only individuals who have fulfilled CFP Board's rigorous requirements can call themselves a CFP® certificant, so be sure your planner is a certified CFP® professional.

It's important to note that not all financial advisors have made a commitment to act in their clients' best interests. As part of their certification, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professionals commit to CFP Board to act as a fiduciary -- at all times -- when providing financial advice to a client.

"As you begin to consider how best to manage your financial future, you should feel confident knowing that with a CFP® professional, you're working with someone committed to providing the high standard of financial planning," according to the LetsMakeAPlan.org website.

Some of the key benefits of an ongoing relationship with a financial planner include:

• Making a plan. Especially during times of uncertainty, making goals and establishing financial plans can contribute to your peace of mind.
• Understanding the laws. Financial planners can explain the implications of the latest legislation on personal finance, such as the SECURE Act, which brought changes to retirement investments, and the post-COVID CARES Act, which brought new financial planning opportunities for individuals and small businesses.
• Optimizing technology. CFP® professionals are up on the latest tools for managing your money. Technology allows for quicker and easier discussions of personal finance issues including not only stock trades, but also rebalancing portfolios, tax-loss harvesting, making income tax projections, and planning for long-term financial goals such as education or retirement.
• Seeing the big picture. A financial planner can help you take a step back and examine how your financial data fit into a plan that incorporates cash flow, expenses, taxes, and estate planning. A qualified planner knows how to keep this big picture in focus, but also how to adapt it as life circumstances change.

Visit letsmakeaplan.org for more financial planning tips and guidance and to locate a certified financial planner in your area.

Strategies for self-care include paying attention to sleep, nutrition, and physical activity, but channeling the power of quantum energy offers an additional opportunity for self-care and self-healing.

Quantum energy and frequencies have a long history of use in alternative medicine, and some individuals have developed class-based wellness practices that are designed to channel quantum energy.

Devaya Smith, a self-described energy psychologist in Taos, New Mexico, for instance, uses the power of quantum energy to teach individuals to connect with themselves in a way that relieves tension and restores peace of mind.

Quantum energy technology also has been adopted into self-care products for use in the safety and comfort of home.

Products developed by Leela Quantum Tech are designed to promote physical and mental health by channeling quantum energy. According to the company website, the health benefits of its products include increased energy, relief from pain and muscle soreness, improved concentration, increased resistance to stress, and greater ability to relax and live in the moment.

As the Leela Quantum Tech website explains, "[You will be able to] Dive deeper into your own self. Realize your potential. Support your health."

"Our products can help you achieve your goals, whatever they may be," says Leela Quantum Tech president Philipp von Holtzendorff-Fehling.

"You can improve your physical and mental fitness as well as positively influence your environment," he explains.

Leela Quantum Tech products have been scientifically certified by two independent institutes, and the variety of personal products make self-care easy. Hats, shirts, and hoodies infused with quantum energy and high-quality silver fabrics are designed to keep you relaxed and comfortable. In addition, coasters charged with quantum energy cushion your favorite beverage and are engineered to promote peace of mind and positive feelings.

Other products include energy-infused cards and capsules that can be kept and carried in a pocket, as well as bracelets and necklaces.

And don't forget your furry friends. Pets can enjoy the restorative benefits of quantum energy with infused collars.

Visit leelaq.com for more information about quantum energy products for more information about the potential and benefits of quantum energy.

The good news is that clinical trials for heart disease are underway, studying cutting-edge treatments for heart failure that may be a good option for these patients.

One such treatment being studied uses a patient's own cells to promote healing of the heart after a heart attack that has progressed to heart failure. The CardiAMP cell therapy is designed for patients suffering from heart failure who feel tired and breathless despite taking regular medications, and who have had to limit their everyday activities as a result.

Previously published studies of this type of cell therapy have shown meaningful and sustained improvements in quality of life and heart function for patients with few risks.

"Heart failure patients who continue to have symptoms despite a course of optimal medications often seek a minimally invasive treatment as an alternative to open heart surgery. We look forward to studying the potential of this cell therapy to improve heart function and quality of life," said Dr. Natasha Altman, cardiologist and principal investigator of the CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial at UC Health University of Colorado Hospital.

For the treatment, doctors extract cells from a patient's own bone marrow, process them at the point of care and deliver them to the damaged area of the heart in a minimally invasive cardiac catheterization procedure. Researchers emphasize that the bone marrow cells do not turn into new heart tissue cells; instead, they are designed to stimulate the body's natural healing process in the heart.

Pete Hagerstrom, a 73-year-old from Colorado Springs who had a previous quadruple bypass to treat his heart failure, was the first patient in his state enrolled in the ongoing FDA-approved clinical study of the therapy.

Participants who qualify for the study are randomly placed into a treatment group or a control group. While Mr. Hagerstrom will not know until the end of the study if he received the cell therapy, he feels better after participating in the trial.

"Everything is easier. I can walk three miles in about 45 minutes, and it takes a lot less time to garden and shovel snow."

The CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial will include up to 260 patients at 40 medical centers nationwide.

Unlike similar studies, this trial tests a patient's bone marrow before treatment, in order to identify those patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment.

Patients may be candidates for the CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial if they have heart failure as a result of an earlier heart attack and have symptoms that are classified as New York Heart Association Class II or III.

For more information about the CardiAMP Heart Failure trial, visit www.biocardia.com, www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02438306, or ask your cardiologist.

"Lover Boy"
by Stephen Kronwith, M.D.

A lustful physician and a beautiful detective clash in a comedy caper involving a billionaire's murder, his stunning widow and an amorous, aging assassin.

Dr. Joseph Peck has one vice -- he's addicted to love. And one unusual secret -- his best friend is a retired Mafia Don. Anna Franklin learns this secret. She also discovers that her husband will be seeking a divorce, relegating her to a pre-nup pittance instead of billions were he to die -- soon.

Anna enlists the friends, and the Don knows one ex-associate to call upon for the hit -- Lover Boy, who, despite being on Social Security, is still quite able to live up to his deadly reputation -- and nickname. Purchase at https://amzn.to/35Lbwaf.

"The Shade Under The Mango Tree"
by Evy Journey

An epistolary tale of courage, resilience of the human spirit, and the bonds that bring diverse people together.

After two heartbreaking losses, Luna seeks an adventure in which she can make some difference. Lucien, a worldly young architect, finds a stranger's journal at a café. He has pangs of guilt about reading it. But that doesn't stop him, and his decision changes his life.

Months later, Luna and Lucien meet at a bookstore. Fascinated by his stories and spirit, Luna goes to a rural, rice-growing village in a country steeped in an ancient culture and a deadly history. What she finds there defies anything she could have imagined. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3nxSFHt.

"Overcoming"
by Dr. Augustus White III

Twenty inspiring profiles of men and women who've defied the odds to overcome adversity.

The coronavirus COVID-19 has changed our lives forever, confronting us with an adversity like none we have known in our lifetimes. Where can we find the resilience to overcome the changes forced upon us?

The answers lie in Overcoming and the lessons we can learn from everyday heroes who found the strength to persevere through life crises that threatened to overwhelm them, just as we feel overwhelmed today. Groundbreaking physician Dr. Augustus White III, no stranger to adversity himself, has fashioned an essential manual on not only surviving in a post-coronavirus world, but even thriving in it, as those in this book have. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3qXe9Qk.

"Smokescreen"
by Khaled Talib

At an ancient café in Cairo, two veteran spies plot a covert mission to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The pledge: Israel will make a major concession as part of the peace treaty. In Singapore, Jethro Westrope, a magazine journalist, stumbles onto the scene of a murder: the beautiful Niki Kishwani directs him, in her last breath, to a digital recorder, evidence that puts Jethro's life in serious danger. And, much worse, he is framed for Niki's murder.

Jethro sets out to find Niki's killer and is drawn into a web of deception and intrigue involving officials from the Singaporean, Israeli, and American governments, each with a potentially deadly agenda. Against this pulse-pounding backdrop, Jethro races to find answers and save himself. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3mqJbwE.

NOTE: BookBites is a continuing series bringing readers information and ideas for their next read. For more reading ideas, visit BookTrib.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

"At the Very Heart and Soul: A Common-Sense Guide to Appreciation and Gratitude for Couple Relationships "
by Timothy Neff Gocke

Named a 2020 Finalist for both the National Indie Excellence Awards and the Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest, this work is "written in a down-to-earth style, acknowledging the difficulties married partners face while providing practical solutions."

The author believes gratitude and appreciation are at the heart and soul of bonding as human beings. He offers personal stories and exercises to help couples understand the importance of appreciation in their long-term relationships. This guide provides many answers and ideas for stressful couples, noting that caring hearts and kinder souls go a long way. Purchase at https://amzn.to/39pd0sQ.

"The Power of How"
by Edward Gwynn and Mary Burkhardt

When leadership is distilled to its core, we are left with two words that describe how leaders can maintain a positive attitude and create the inspiring, motivating environment people desire: energy and influence. During this growth and transformation, we continually overcome fear and self-doubt and live into our true, powerful selves. Resilience, grit and indomitable spirit are themes you will find throughout.

But this powerful journey of leadership is not for the faint of heart. Come along for this life-changing experience. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3nuxdTG.

"The Mom's Guide to a Good Divorce"
by Sarah Armstrong

A practical guide to help women getting a divorce understand all of the details, always keeping in focus what is best for their children. The book is written in a conversational tone from one mom to another and is served up in bite-sized pieces. Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help, says, "People need to hear Sarah's guidance in her own captivating voice. It is innovative. It is positive. It needs to be shared with those who need it."

The goal of the book is to help women with children make it through both the divorce process and the post-divorce phase...ultimately putting it in the category of a "good divorce." Purchase at https://www.gooddivorce.guide.

"Back to Serve"
by Cesare Giannetti

A fictional memoir about soon-to-retire army captain Nico Corretti. Before his return home, a beautiful Russian woman informs him that his safety and his post-service stability may be in jeopardy.

He undergoes an extended unemployment period before anxiously taking a government-contract position abroad, which turns out to be more perilous than originally thought. And the mysterious Russian woman may lead him to some of the answers he seeks, as well as to some dangers and desires. After returning home, a swell of terrorist attacks send him back to the Middle East, where he'll need to reach deep within himself to succeed on the battlefield and in life. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2IoQmXR.

NOTE: BookBites is a continuing series bringing readers information and ideas for their next read. For more reading ideas, visit BookTrib.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

But in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, some things remain the same, including the need for smart money management. The start of the new year is an ideal time to revisit your financial goals and plans to ensure they work for you. No matter how the pandemic may have impacted your financial situation, consider taking these important steps now to maximize your money in 2021:

- Avoid or pay off debt. Resolve to pay credit cards and other bills each month by spending within your limits. Try to avoid taking on additional debt outside of a mortgage. If you have debt, pay off the highest interest loans first, and also try to accelerate loan payments when you can. Reducing debt is especially important as you approach retirement age.

- Look for simple ways to save. Make saving a New Year's resolution, especially this year, as the pandemic continues to affect the economy, and job stability may be less uncertain.

In addition to setting aside part of a paycheck for saving, consider how little things you can do now can add up to savings later. For example, use ATM machines for your current banking institution, only to avoid usage fees charged at other banks, consider generic medications or prescriptions, which are often less expensive than "name brand" products, and use cash-back and rewards cards and apps to reduce expenses or to earn rewards on purchases.

- Think retirement now. Even if you are early in your working life, it is never too soon to save for retirement. Don't underestimate the power of compound interest: earning interest on your savings over many years is how you build wealth, and the sooner you start saving, the longer the time to compound your savings, and the more wealth you can build. Resolve to maximize retirement savings through your employer and explore additional ways to save on your own.

- Set up a financial plan. Managing your money is easier when you have a plan. Resolve to consult a financial planner for guidance on how to get the most from your money to help ensure that you reach your financial goals and secure your financial future. Some smart money strategies include creating a budget to track your spending and identify ways to save, establishing an emergency fund, and setting up automatic savings plans when possible.

"Use the start of a new year as motivation to begin or continue the financial planning process," according to the website of the Certified Financial Planner Board, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting professional standards in personal financial planning.

Visit letsmakeaplan.org today for more financial planning tips and guidance, and to locate a CFP® professional in your area who can start you on your way to realizing your financial goals in 2021 and beyond.

Many sports stadiums, both old and new, are works of architectural elegance. The exquisite replicas from Westbrook Sports Classics present these iconic structures from a new perspective that lets fans enjoy the beauty of their favorite ballparks at home on a desk, table, or bookshelf.

The stadium reproductions measure approximately 7 by 7 inches, weigh approximately 10-12 pounds, and come with a protective acrylic case. The models are designed and created by John Kimball Westbrook, an award-winning artist whose background includes both architecture and commercial art. Mr. Westbrook also spent time in Washington, DC, on a scholarship to study with Italian stone carvers during the completion of the National Cathedral, where he developed his passion for sculpture.

"Over the past 30 years, I have worked with different fine art mediums, including carving marble, granite, various semi-precious stones, bronze, wood, ivory, silversmithing, drawing and painting," Mr. Westbrook explains on his website.

The limited-edition ballparks are cast in a bronze composite and mounted on a natural black marble base. Mr. Westbrook creates each mold by hand over a period of approximately two months. Fans will appreciate the attention to details such as handpainted seats and the use of tiny crystals inserted into light poles that refract light to give the appearance of the stadium at night.

The Westbrook Sports collection to date features 17 Major League Baseball stadiums, historic and current, including Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox; Candlestick Park, the former home of the San Francisco Giants; the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field; and both old and new versions of Yankee Stadium. All Major League Baseball trademark copyrights are used with the permission of Major League Baseball. Mr. Westbrook plans to expand the collection to National Football League stadiums, NCAA college stadiums, and British football (soccer) stadiums as well.

For more information and to view photos of stadium models, visit westbrooksportsclassics.com.

Several aspects of the 2020 election cycle have undoubtedly been unique, with a global pandemic, protests for racial justice and extremist groups threatening violence. But from the civil rights movement to the Great Recession, Americans have previously headed to the polls through war, economic downturn and social instability. As the dust settles after this election, it's worth looking back to the past for a bit of historical context.

"In this crazy year, the best way to figure out what will happen to the country after everything settles down again is to understand our history," says Carlos Watson, Emmy-winning journalist, entrepreneur, political commentator, CEO of OZY and host of The Campaigns That Made History, a two-hour documentary that recently aired on HISTORY, covering the most surprising and shocking political contests of the past. For fans who have been following the burgeoning partnership between OZY, which seems to be the definition of media's omni-channel future, and A+E Networks, which owns networks including HISTORY and Lifetime, the documentary was a rare treat that meets the moment, allowing viewers to jump several steps ahead of the curve this election cycle.

"This isn't the first crazy election we've had -- there have been five of these whoppers just over the past 60 years," said Watson, who has become one of the preeminent new media figures helping the public make sense of this moment in history -- perhaps the next Doris Kearns Goodwin. Here are a few lessons from just three of those "whoppers" to help you contextualize the most recent election.

1. Anti-establishment candidates aren't just a 21st century problem

When Ronald Reagan, a former football player and charismatic actor, challenged President Gerald Ford in 1976, he wasn't afraid of abandoning boring political-speak. "Balancing the budget," as he quipped to Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, "is like protecting your virtue: You have to learn how to say 'no.'" The California governor came tantalizingly close to defeating the sitting president. And while Reagan lost, Ford urged him to address the Republican National Convention anyway, assuming he would embarrass himself without a teleprompter. That was a mistake: Reagan delivered a stirring speech, putting him on the path to the presidency four years later.

2. How a contested election could play out

"Florida, Florida, Florida." NBC's Tim Russert's election night mantra in 2000 would play out over weeks as the election outcome hung in the balance, and lawyers and activists descended on Florida for a disputed recount. In the end, the U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 decision in Bush v. Gore overruled the state of Florida, halting a recount and giving Bush the win more than a month after Election Day.

3. The Proud Boys of 1968

A tumultuous year marked by racial unrest and assassinations of leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and presidential front-runner Robert F. Kennedy ended up with Republican Richard Nixon topping Democrat Hubert Humphrey. But segregationist George Wallace's third-party campaign, representing Southerners who had ditched the pro-civil-rights Democratic Party, was a shock to the system and a sign of things to come. "In 1968, the equivalent of the Proud Boys wasn't just some crazy group on the edge -- they were on the ballot, got 10 million votes and won five states," says Watson.

After more great insights from history? Catch up on The Campaigns That Made History, from OZY and HISTORY, on history.com.